Bahá’u’lláh

O KINGS of the earth! We see you increasing every year
your expenditures, and laying the burden thereof on your
subjects. This, verily, is wholly and grossly unjust. Fear the
sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive
burdens on your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces
for yourselves; nay rather choose for them that which ye
choose for yourselves. Thus We unfold to your eyes that
which profiteth you, if ye but perceive. Your people are
your treasures. Beware lest your rule violate the commandments
of God, and ye deliver your wards to the hands of
the robber. By them ye rule, by their means ye subsist, by
their aid ye conquer. Yet, how disdainfully ye look upon
them! How strange, how very strange!

Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye
fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some
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degree better your own condition and that of your dependents.

O Rulers of the earth! Be reconciled among yourselves,
that ye may need no more armaments save in a measure to
safeguard your territories and dominions. Beware lest ye
disregard the counsel of the All-Knowing, the Faithful.

Be united, O Kings of the earth, for thereby will the
tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your people
find rest, if ye be of them that comprehend. Should any one
among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against
him, for this is naught but manifest justice.